Which two ranks share the same pay grade of E-8 but have different insignia?

Which two ranks share the same pay grade of E-8 but have different insignia?

• A. Master Sergeant and First Sergeant
• B. Master Sergeant and Sergeant Major
• C. First Sergeant and Sergeant Major
• D. Gunnery Sergeant and Master Gunnery Sergeant

Answer: (A)

Master Sergeant and First Sergeant share the same pay grade of E-8, but their insignia are different to reflect distinct leadership roles. Master Sergeant’s insignia features a star, while First Sergeant uses a diamond in the center. This difference signals separate duties at the same pay level: a First Sergeant serves as the company-level senior enlisted leader focused on welfare, discipline, and administration within the unit, whereas a Master Sergeant functions as a senior staff NCO in broader organizational or battalion-level support roles. The other options pair ranks that do not occupy the same pay grade (for example, E-7 or E-9), so they don’t fit the criteria.